Film Review: Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Film makers tend to have a habit of bringing my dreams to reality, and Scarlett Johansson together on screen with Penelope Cruz definitely fits the bill. These amazingly delightful women are arguably two of cinema’s most iconic women of the last decade so it is terrific to see them both on such great form in a cracking Woody Allen film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, his best for a while. The film is a great tale of both sexual tension and freedom and is shot beautifully around Barcelona and surrounding areas – perfect timing to get me exited about a trip to the area in May, despite it being for a stag do with 24 other men. Penelope Cruz’s portrail of a highly creative but wacky and irrational Spaniard very much deserves the Best Supporting Actress Oscar she got on the weekend, and two other highlights must be Javier Bardem’s suave womanising performance and the soundtrack. If you haven’t seen Slumdog Millionaire already (and why not) this is worth a visit, especially as all the other films that are currently out seem to be typical run-of-the-mill romantic comedies staring Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock or whoever.

Naughty Idol Series: LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad

It is 2009 so perhaps it is a good time to reflect on those people that have had a big impact on me in the last decade (Naughty because we are in the Naughties, duh). Over the coming months I’ll be highlighting the unique and interesting individuals that I think have been highly influential to me, to others or whom have made a big impact to the world in general.

First up, LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad, the drum and base producers,  DJ and MC. Some might view my first choice in the series as perhaps a bizarre one but the fact is that I’ve probably listened to their work more than any other musician or band. Their live set is something I’ve been privileged to experience and cherish on a number of times, but most importantly their sound has been the motivational music for my two marathons, one little walk around Ireland I’m about to do, as well as countless gym sessions. In their own words, music is energetic poetry to get you going and touch your soul. Guys I salute you…now, any chance of releasing a retrospective?

The greatest cast in the history of cinema?

The Expendables

Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, Sly Stallone, Jet Li, Ben Kingsley (or Eric Roberts), Dolph Lundgren, Forest Whitaker, Arnie and…err…Sandra Bullock? JCVD has apparently declined due to a lack of script, that’s interesting in itself.

I’d like to see Steven Seagal, Jesse “The Body” Ventura and Bruce Willis added to the mix. Why not?

Three is the magic number

/Film, perhaps the finest blog focusing on all things cinema, has come across a really cool graphical representation (by Dan Meth) of how great the cinematic trilogies are. One thing though, where the hell is Bourne?

The first step to becoming a better PR professional is…

…read more.

Grrr. I’m constantly amazed by how little people in my industry read. It is not for me to name and shame people, but I’ll just say that one of the reasons why people work in PR must be because they take an interest in the media…emerging, traditional or otherwise. It does make me rather angry when it is so obvious that people haven’t the knowledge they’d have had they taken an interest in the world, the media, the PR industry and the direction in which we are all heading. My awesome director at Bite Communications Paul Mackender always said that if you didn’t read the Economist there was no point being in PR, I completely agree with him although I’ve obviously extended my reading list somewhat and I suggest you all do the same. Knowledge is the pathway to glory.

Opening out this out to Robin, Robert, Wadds, Drew and Ged and anyone else that has an opinion on the matter.